Ashbourne Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Ashbourne's crime profile in July 2023 reveals a striking balance between property and violent crimes, each accounting for 31.3% of total incidents. This equilibrium contrasts with broader UK trends, where violent crime typically dominates. The area's overall crime rate of 6.8 per 1,000 residents places it 18.1% below the UK average of 8.3, a position consistent with its rural character and lower population density. Violence and sexual offences, the most common category (20 incidents), remain 24% below the UK average, potentially reflecting the town's quieter social environment and limited nightlife. Anti-social behaviour, however, exceeds the UK average by 6%, a trend that may align with the summer season's increased outdoor activity and local festivals. Public order offences, at 61% above the UK average, suggest challenges in managing public spaces during peak tourist periods, though these incidents remain relatively low in absolute terms. The data illustrates a combination of seasonal dynamics and the area's inherent characteristics, with property crimes like shoplifting and burglary showing notable volatility. While the town's crime rate remains stable overall, the shift in crime type distribution highlights the need for targeted local strategies to address emerging patterns without overgeneralising from limited data.

July 2023 saw a dramatic 100% increase in shoplifting, rising from 4 to 8 incidents—a sharp contrast to the 55.6% decrease in criminal damage and arson, which fell from 9 to 4. This shift may reflect seasonal dynamics, with summer tourism potentially driving retail theft while reduced outdoor activity lowers vandalism. Burglary also doubled month-on-month, though it remains below the UK average by 21%, suggesting local factors such as increased temporary housing during the summer months. Anti-social behaviour rose 50% to 14 incidents, aligning with the UK's 6% above-average rate for this category. The equal split between property and violent crime—each comprising 31.3% of total incidents—marks a departure from typical UK patterns, where violent crime often dominates. This balance may indicate a unique local context, with Ashbourne's retail presence and seasonal events contributing to property crime while its rural nature limits opportunities for more serious violent offences. For residents, the 100% rise in shoplifting underscores the importance of securing high-value items during peak tourist periods, a practical insight directly supported by the data.

Ashbourne's crime rate in July 2023 dropped by 27.3% compared to June's 9.3 per 1,000, a decline that translates to roughly 2 crimes per day over the month—slightly lower than the UK's typically higher daily rates. On a monthly basis, one reported crime occurred for every 148 residents, a figure that contextualises the low overall risk for individuals living in the area. This rate is lower than the UK average, which may be attributed to Ashbourne's rural setting and limited urban infrastructure. The previous month's higher rate could reflect the end of the school term in June, when increased youth activity might have contributed to temporary spikes in anti-social behaviour and public order offences. While daily crime counts are inherently volatile, the consistent low levels in Ashbourne suggest a stable community with effective local policing. The population-scaled perspective—1-in-148 residents experiencing a crime—provides a tangible measure of safety, reinforcing that Ashbourne remains one of the UK's safer areas despite the seasonal fluctuations observed in specific categories.